Silver Screen is Howard’s eighth historical novel. Throughout her career, critics have lauded her engaging stream of consciousness style, and Silver Screen is no exception. Most critics are pleased with the tale of Bel Murphy, an actress who opts out of her own career and directs the lives of those around her with varying degrees of success. However, some reviewers found Howard’s interweaving timeline disengaging and would have preferred a more direct storyline. Others viewed her seasonal construct unnecessary, and her characters unconvincing. Buck up. After summer, there’s always autumn.